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Work begins on Supino neighbor La Rondinella for late summer opening

Photo by Bridget Vis/Crain's Detroit Business
Dave Mancini is turning the space next door to his popular Supino Pizzeria in Eastern Market into La Rondinella restaurant.

The owner of Supino Pizzeria is starting renovations on a full-service restaurant beside his popular Eastern Market pizza shop, and said he hopes the new addition will be open by the end of summer.

That restaurant — called La Rondinella — will be about 1,000 square feet and include a bar and dining area that can seat 40, as well as a prep kitchen located downstairs, said owner David Mancini.

Mancini said he signed a lease for the space in the former Taste of Ethiopia restaurant next to Supino on Russell Street last year.

Photo by Bridget Vis/Crain's Detroit Business
Work has begun on turning the former Taste of Ethiopia restaurant next to Supino Pizzeria into La Rondinella.

“I didn’t have any big plan of expanding when I opened Supino, but I’ve gone with what works as I go, and this seems natural,” he said.

The menu of La Rondinella, whose name comes from an Italian folk song, will include fresh pasta, homemade gnocchi, free-range chicken and grass-fed beef. Supino’s pizza will also be available, brought in through a new door in the wall separating the two spaces, said Mancini.

Mancini said La Rondinella will serve beer, wine and cocktails in a family-friendly atmosphere. It will be open until 10 p.m.

Mancini said he has met with a contractor, who he said is a customer, to discuss plans for the renovations. Those renovations will cost about $50,000, he said.

About 10 to 12 additional staff members will be hired to operate the restaurant, he said.